The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-12-09


When we were ready, as 1t still lacked
a little of train time, we gathered In An
drews' room for an informal council Of
war. Some were seated on the edge of
the bed, one or two on chairs, and the
remainder stood around as best they
could. We did not speak very loud, as we
wished no sharers I'm our plans, Andrews
gave no eXhortationS-the time for that
had passed-but rather cautions to pre-
vent too precipitate action. He said:
when the train stops at Big Shanty
for breakfast, keep your places till tell
you to go. Get seats near each other in
the same car, and say nothing about the
matter on the way up. If anything I'M
expected occurs, look to me for the word.
You and understanding the men
twill go with me on the engine; all the
rest will go on the left of the train for
ward of where it is uncoupled, and climb
on the cars in the best places you can,
when the order is given. If anybody in
terferes, shoot him, but don't fire until it
is necessary"
Sergt Maj. Ross, the ranking man Of
the party, and as brave as any, offered a
respectful protest against going further.
He said that circumstances had changed
since we set out; that it was day later
than planned; that many more troops
were at Big Shanty than formerly; that
we had noticed the crowded state of the
road as we came down, and that Mitchel's
movements would make the matter worse.
For all these reasons he thought il better
to put off the attempt, or give it up alto
gether.
Our heads were very close together as
we talked, and the words softly spoken;
the door was locked, and the windows
overlooked the railroad, so that we were
sure to see the train coming. Andrews
very quietly answered the objections of
Ross, admitting all the facts he stated,
but claiming that they only showed our
way the clearer. The military excite
ment and commotion and the number of
trains on the road would make our train
the less likely to be suspected; and as to
the troops at Big Shanty, If we did our
work promptly, they would have no
chance to interfere. Capturing the train
in the camp would be easier than any
where else, because no one would believe
it possible, and there would therefore be
no guard.
Andrews could always find a reason for
everything; but these plausible arguments
were not perfectly convincing, Several
others, among whom was j. A. Wilson,
Joined in a respectful protest against pro-
ceeding Then Andrews, speaking even
lower, as was his wont when strongly
moved, said:
'.Boys, tried this once before and
faiied; now win succeed or leave my
bones In Dixie"
The words and manner thrilled every
han and WA khnA
would stand by him, and, If need be, die
with him. He grasped our hands and we
hurried to the platform, for the train was
now almost due. had said nothing in
the discussion, for felt that we were
under the leadership of Andrews, and
sh' simply obey, leaving the respon-
sill. to rest on him, ] am not sure
that, on later critical occasion, we did
not carry this principle little too far.
Although we only needed tickets to Big
Shanty, we purchased them to various
points along the line that attention might
not be attracted by such number bound
to one place. As the train came up we
noticed three closed box cars attached.
Every passenger train, as / have since
been informed by Conductor Fuller, was
at this time required to carry empty cars
which were brought back
filed with bacon and other provisions,
vast quantities Of which were then being
CLEANED out Of Tennessee and stored In
Atlanta. We all took our places close to-
gether in one car, that we might be ready
to help each other in case of need. Knight
sat near the front door, and says that on
looking back he saw that most of our men
were pale, yet resolute. The passengers
had that listless and weary air always
seen in the early morning on board
train.
The conductor, whose name we after
ward learned was William A. Fuller, en-
.ered and began to take the tickets. He
ooked narrowly at US, for it was an un-
common thing for so many persons to en-
'er in body as did at Marietta; besides,
ne had been warned very recently to
watch that no conscrfpts used his train |
or the purpose Of escaping, and ordered,
n case of suspicion, to telegraph for help |
It once. No doubt we looked soldierly |
,nough, but he afterward told me that he |
lid not suspect as Of being conscrints